Carolina Panthers minicamp concluded June 14, 2018 after three days in the heat. Observer beat writers Joe Person and Jourdan Rodrigue recap what happened for the team and what to look forward to going into training camp in July.

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Carolina Panthers minicamp concluded June 14, 2018 after three days in the heat. Observer beat writers Joe Person and Jourdan Rodrigue recap what happened for the team and what to look forward to going into training camp in July.

The team announced that training camp will start on Thursday, July 26, and will still be held at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., even though owner and founder Jerry Richardson (a Wofford alumnus) will no longer be affiliated with the team by then.

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Cam Newton throws a pass to Christian McCaffrey and offensive line drills.

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Carolina wrapped up its final minicamp practice on Thursday morning. Players couldn't wait to get their vacations started shortly after, and hustled off the field. But during the workout, there was plenty to see.

▪ Veteran linebacker Thomas Davis had Kyleigh Dean, a Make-A-Wish kid, alongside him throughout the practice. He even got her a custom set of Jordan Brand cleats, the same kind he wears. After the workout, Davis commented on his four-game suspension from the NFL for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy and took full responsibility. He also said he would be "open" to playing another year, despite having previously said the 2018 season would be his last.

▪ Quarterback Cam Newton did not speak to media this spring (though many are curious about his thoughts on new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, his new receivers and new Panthers owner David Tepper). Players are not required to speak with reporters during spring workouts.

Newton finished practice with high energy and has made great progress compared to last spring, when he was unable to throw while recovering from shoulder surgery.

▪ Tight end Chris Manhertz was not on the field after appearing to tweak his leg during Wednesday's practice. Rookie tight end Ian Thomas got more snaps with the first team as a result.

▪ Second-year defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. injured his left leg after accidental contact near the end of the workout, and had to be helped off the field.

▪ After missing Wednesday's workouts, speedy second-year receiver Curtis Samuel was back on the field for individual drills. That's a great sign for his continued rehabilitation after ankle surgery this spring.

▪ Receiver Rasheed Bailey made the catch of the day in the back of the end zone, off third-string quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Bailey toe-dragged to stay in-bounds and secure the touchdown in team drills.

▪ Guard Amini Silatolu took most of the first-team snaps on the left side on Thursday. Head coach Ron Rivera indicated after practice that the job was his to lose in training camp, meaning second-year guard Taylor Moton will have to step up. Rivera added that there are five players in the mix for the starting spot.

▪ Left tackle Matt Kalil accidentally clipped Newton as the quarterback rolled out to throw, and sent him to the ground in the first set of team drills. Everybody was OK.